Shaftless gyrostabilizer for aerial platforms

Abstract

Gyrostabilizer methods and apparatus having simultaneously counter-revolving masses that do not require physical shafts or axles. The stabilizer can have dual counter-revolving concentric rings, or tracks filled with weights such as spherical balls, that are propelled in orbital fashion by fluid pressure or electromagnet propulsion. The rings can include rigid contiguous rings, such as metal, plastic, composites, and the like. Additionally, the rings can include liquids and / or gasses. Still furthermore, the rings can include flexible, bendable contiguous materials, such as chains and ropes. The concentric ring diameters can be a few inches to more than ten (10) feet. Without an axle or shaft the weight of the gyrostabilizer is shifted to the perimeter where most of the momentum is generated at a fraction of the weight of gyrostabilizers that spin on an axle. The gyrostabilizer can dampen unsteadiness such as tremors, vibrations, sway, pitch, roll, and yaw.

Description

[0001]This invention is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 680,495 filed Oct. 5, 2000, now allowed now U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,291.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to shaftless gyrostabilizers, and in particular to methods and apparatus for stabilizing aerial platforms and vehicles while in motion or hover mode, where the gyrostabilizers control pitching, rolling, yawing and other unsteadiness in aerial platforms and vehicles that have limited or no other inherent controls for self-stabilization, and this invention also is used to dampen tremors, vibrations, swaying in buildings.BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART[0003]Counter-rotating or oppositely spinning discs, or wheels, mounted on centrally located shafts or axles are known to be used as stabilizers for guided missiles in U.S. Pat. No. 3,193,216; for rotation control of a space vehicle in U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,401; and to suppress oscillation about an axis of a loaded crane in U.S. Pat. No. 3,498,476. I...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]A seventh objective of the present invention is to offset gyroscopic precession and double the effect of angular momentum available from a single gyro.

[0018]A first embodiment of the present invention is a design wherein a race or track contains balls propelled in a circular motion via fluid pressure or electromagnetic propulsion in an arrangement where there is no center shaft or axle. This arrangement shifts the weight of the gyrostabilizer to the perimeter where most of the momentum is created. Thus, greater momentum can be generated at a fraction of the weight of gyrostabilizers that spin on an axis. Also, the space between the center of revolution and the revolving weights is usable or void space for vehicles or structures that are weight sensitive. The absence of a physical shaft or axle also provides unlimited flexibility in sizing the stabilizing device, such that the device can be scaled to fit very large or very small vehicles and structures, including toys.

Problems solved by technology

The devices identified above occupy valuable space and add considerable weight to the body that is being stabilized.

The disadvantages of the oppositely spinning discs arise from the requirement that they be physically mounted to a centrally located shaft or axle; thereby causing the entire disc to rotate and adding considerably more weight, volume, and surface area to the stabilizing device.

Another disadvantage is that the centrally located axle or shaft restricts that space for other uses and finally the disc, axle or shaft arrangement limits the total revolutions per minute for discs due to wear and fatigue of the parts.

Thus, the use restriction on the area in which the device is rotating remains a disadvantage.

In addition, there are limits on the size of the stabilizing device based on space available within each application.

This arrangement would also not be able to stabilize such vehicles for at least the reason of requiring extra side-by-side storage space for the side-by-side tracks.

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